Measuring pour spout

ABSTRACT

An improved spout for installation on a carton or box, the spout being designed so to dispense various measures of a dry or granular content that is carried within the box; the device including a panel like frame snap fitted within a rectangular opening formed in the box, the frame being integral with a wedge shaped spout member that pivots through a central opening formed in the frame so as to open or close a dispensing opening, and a vertically adjustable slide being carried on the rear of the frame, the slide being vertically adjustable by means of a knob protruding through the front side of the frame, and the slide including a downward extending stiff tongue that extends into the spout so to brush off an excessive amount of the content being carried by the spout so to result in a proper measurement of the content left in the spout for being dispensed.

United States Patent Holmstrom Nov. 25, 1975 MEASURING POUR SPOUT [76] inventor: Rodger L. Holmstrom, 6204 Pr'mary Exammer Robert Reeves Beechwood Ave Sarasota, Assistant ExaminerH. Grant Skaggs, Jr. 33581 Attorney, Agent, or FirmGeorge H. Baldwin; Arthur G. Yeager [22] Filed: Aug. 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.. 499,519 [57] ABSTRACT 52 [1.5. CI. 222/305; 222/364; 222/438; impmved Spout installation a 222/535 the spout being designed so to dispense various mea- [51] Int. Cl. G01F 11/26 sures of a dry or granular Come! that is carried within [58] Field of Search 222/438, 439, 440, 456, the box; the device including a Panel like frame Snap fitted within a'rectangular opening formed in the bOX, 34 the frame being integral a wedge shaped SpQUt 444, 305, 307 member that pivots through a central opening formed in the frame so as to open or close a dispensing open- [56] References Cited llllg, and afvertifcally adjustable slide being carried on t e rear 0 the rame, the slide being vertically adjust- UNITED STATES PATENTS able by means of a knob protruding through the front 917,649 4/1909 Otto 222/561 i of the frame, and the slide including a downward Read 22263 extending stiff tongue that extends into the spout so to 27811156 2 1957 WallJQIIIIIx3101: 222/531 brush Off an excessive amount 9 the Content being 3:l44,l80 8/1964 Phillipps et al.. 222 531 by the spent to result a Proper measure 3,353,725 ll/l967 Caceres 222/456 ment of the content left the Spout for being 3,511,4[6 5/1970 Michie 222/364 p FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS t-l 14 Drawing Figures 1,348,481 l2/l963 France ..l 222/363 US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 WEAKENED BENDNG \NE US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,921,862

This invention relates generally to dispensing cartons. And more specifically the present invention relates to carton spouts.

It is generally well known that when a person wishes to dispense a measured quantity of dry or granular material from a carton or box, the person is first obliged to get a measuring cup into which the materials is dispensed, and is then further obliged to clean out the measuring cup and put it back, all of which takes extra time and effort. This invention is intended to alleviate such time consuming and unnecessary efforts.

Accordingly it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a carton pouring spout which can premeasure different amounts of the contents, thereby saving time and work by requiring no additional measuring cup.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a measuring pour spout which can be used for dry or granular ingredients such as dry cereals, sugar, rice, breadcrumbs and also for soap powders ro detergents such as are placed in washing machines.

Other objects are to provide a measuring pour spout which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture,

rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in op eration.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the followingspecification and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the measuring pour spout in accord with the present invention shown mounted on a container, the spout being shown in an open condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the slide and frame components of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are cross sectional views taken on line 5-5, 6-6 and 77 respectfully of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 1, the spout being shown in a closed condition;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a modified slide in accord with a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

' FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the spout in accord lWlth this invention as viewed from an inner side;

1 FIG. 12 is a view of the frame and spout in position during manufacture thereof; 3 .FIG. 13 is a greatly enlarged cross sectional view taken on line l3-13 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing steps in the proper use of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the reference 10 indicates a measuring pour spout assembly according to the present invention wherein there is a frame 11 integral with a spout l2 and a separate slide 13 that is vertically slideable within side grooves in the form of guideways 14 formed upon the rear side of the frame.

The frame 11 and spout 12 are molded from a rigid or semi rigid plastic material. When the frame and spout are molded, they are made in the position as shown in FIG. 12 and wherein there is accordingly a weakened bending line or hinge line 15 therebetween so that the spout can be snapped through a rectangular opening 16 formed in the frame 11 so to be in the position shown in FIG. 2. On the rear side of the frame 11 there is a rearward extending thickened ridge or bead 17 formed along all four side edges thereof, the bead 17 having a notch 18 on the outer side edge thereof as best shown in FIG. 13 so that the frame snap fits within a rectangular opening 19 formed in a side wall 20 of a container in the form of a cardboard carton or box 21. It is this bead 17 which along its vertical inner side edges incorporates the grooves or notches 14 within which the slide 13 is slideable.

The slide 13 comprises a rectangular member made preferably of a plastic material and which includes a generally H-shaped cut 22 so to form an upward extending flexible tongue 23 and a downwardly extending upper stiff tongue 24. As shown'iii FIGS. 9 and 10, accordingly the flexible tongue may be made thinner whereas the stiff tongue 24 is made thicker so as to resist flexing. A forwardly protruding knob 25 is integral with slide 13 and protrudes through an elongated vertical slot 26 formed through the frame 11. Accordingly the knob 25 permits the slide to be vertically adjusted. It is to be noted that the stiff tongue 24 is slightly narrower in width than the flexible tongue 23 so that it fits between opposite side walls 27' of the spout and fits into the interior thereof. The opposite side edges 28 of the flexible tongue 23 are fitted into the grooves in the form of guideways 29 formed along the end edge of the spout side walls 27.

The spout 12 includes a front wall 30, a lower edge of which is either connected by or constitutes the weakened bending line 15 to the frame 11. The upper edge of the front wall 30 includes a pull tab 31 that extends in front of the front wall 32 of the frame 1 1 so that the spout can be easily grasped and forwardly pulled as indicated by arrow 33 in FIG. 4. The pull tab 31 also serves as a stop for abutting against the frame front wall 32 when the spout is closed. The front side of the spout wall 30 also includes graduations 34 being formed thereupon so to designate different amounts of measurement for the contents of the container 21.

In use, when a person wishes to dispense a certain measure of the contents of the container the slide adjustment knob 25 is first gripped and moved along the slot 26 until it is aligned with the desired graduation 34. The numerals along the graduation line mat indicate a measurement in teaspoons, tablespoons or the like. The container is then tilted from position a to the position b, as shown in FIG. 14, so that the dry or granular contents 35 fills the spout. The container is repositioned upright as shown in position 0. Then the spout is pulled out, as shown by position d, and as shown in greater detail in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 makes it clear that as the spoutis pulled forwardly, the stiff tongue 24 sweeps back into the box all surplus amount of the contents 35 leaving only such contents within the scoop that is below a lower edge 36 of the stiff tongue 24. The position of the upper edge 37 of flexible tongue 23 also obviously determines the contents of the scoop, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Thus, a premeasured amount 38 of the contents remains for discharging from the spout when the container is again tilted into the position e as shown in FIG. 14. After the premeasured amount 38 is spilled from the spout, no further contents will spill from the container, as is evident in FIG. 14 position f and from considering FIG. 4 with the spout l2 pulled out all the way with edges 37 and 36 of tongues 23 and 24 being juxtaposed. Positions g and h of FIG. 14 show restoring the container to its original position a. I

While various changes may be made in the detailed construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit of the scope of the present invention as is defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A measuring pour spout assembly for a container comprising in combination, a wall member having an opening therethrough, a measuring pour spout disposed in said opening and mounted for movement in and out with respect to said member, said spout comprising a movable wall disposed on one side of said member, said wall having an upper edge, and selective means to move said spout wall for adjusting the height of said upper edge with respect to said spout bottom.

2. The assembly in accord with claim 1 further comprising a closure wall movable along said wall member and having a lower edge at a depth cooperating with said spout movable wall to close said opening in said wall member when said spout is disposed in its out position.

3. The assembly in accord with claim 2 wherein said selective means includes means to simultaneously move said closure wall along said wall member whereby the depth of said lower edge of said closure wall is adjusted when said spout wall is adjusted.

4. The assembly in accord with claim 3 wherein said upper edge of said spout wall is juxtaposed with said lower edge of said closure wall.

5. The assembly in accord with claim 4 wherein said spout wall, said closure wall and said selective means are unitary.

6. The assembly in accord with claim 5 wherein said spout wall and said closure wall and said selective means are defined by a sheet member, said sheet member having a generally HY shaped cut therethrough spaced inwardly of the outer boundary of said sheet member with said upper edge and said lower edge being defined by the generally horizontal cut.

7. The assembly in accord with claim 5 wherein said spout wall is defined by a first tongue hindedly attached at one edge to a sheet member, said closure wall being defined by a second tongue hingedly attached at one edge to a sheet member, each said tongues having a free edge opposite to said one edge with said free edges of said tongues being juxtaposed when said spout is in its out position.

8. The assembly in accord with claim 7 wherein said selective means is defined by said sheet member, said first and second tongues being moved in the same direction by movement of said sheet member whereby said first tongue varies the capacity of said spout and said second tongue levels the material in the spout upon movement of said spout from its in position to its out position.

9. The assembly in accord with claim 2 wherein said spout wall is defined by a flexible tongue struck from a sheet member.

10. The assembly in accord with claim 9 wherein said selective means is defined by a first portion of said sheet member, said first portion being connected to said flexible tongue and movable therewith.

11. The assembly in accord with claim 10 further comprising a handle exposed outwardly of said wall member and connected to said sheet member for adjustable movement thereof.

12. The assembly in accord with claim 1 wherein said spout wall and said selective means are unitary and defined by a sheet member, said sheet member having a generally H shaped cut therethrough spaced inwardly of the outer boundary of said sheet member with said upper edge being defined by the generally horizontal cut.

13. The assembly in accord with claim 1 wherein said spout wall is defined by a tongue hingedly attached at one edge to a sheet member, said spout having a pair of spaced and parallel guideways extending generally perpendicular to said hinged one edge for slidably receiving opposite side edges of said tongue, said sheet member defining said selective means whereby upon movement of said sheet member said tongue side edges slide in said guideways. 14. A measuring pour spout assembly for a container comprising a spout means adapted to be mounted within an opening in a wall of container, said spout means comprising a bottom and a front wall and a back wall defining an open top measuring cavity, said front and back walls being movable to expose said open top of said cavity inwardly and outwardly of the container, said back wall being adapted to be disposed inwardly of a container, and selective means for adjusting the height of said back wall with respect to said spout bottom to vary the capacity of said cavity.

15. The assembly in accord with claim 14 wherein said spout means includes a pair of rectilinear side walls further defining said open top measuring cavity.

16. The assembly in accord with claim 15 wherein said side walls include elongated rearward edges, a guideway extending along each said rearward edge, said back wall having elongated edges extending into and slidable within respective said guideways.

17. The assembly in accord with claim 16 further comprising a scraper wall slidable upwardly and downwardly through said open top and into said cavity for leveling the material within said cavity when said spout means is moved from its most inward position to its most outward position.

18. The assembly in accord with claim 17 wherein said back wall is relatively flexible with respect to the rigidity of said scraper wall.

19. The assembly in accord with claim 17 wherein said scraper wall has a width extending substantially between said pair of side walls.

20. The assembly in accord with claim 19 wherein said back wall has a width of a dimension larger than the width of said scraper wall.

21. The assembly in accord with claim 20 wherein said back wall and scraper wall and said selective means are a unitary slidable member.

22. The assembly in accord with claim 21 wherein said back wall and said scraper wall are simultaneously movable in the same direction by said selective means.

23. The assembly in accord with claim 22 wherein the upper edge of said back wall is juxtaposed to the lower edge of said scraper wall when said spout means is in its most outward position in any position of said selective means.

24. The assembly in accord with claim 23 wherein said unitary member includes a generally H shaped cut therethrough spaced inwardly of the outer boundary thereof and forming an upper tongue and a lower tongue, said lower tongue defining said back wall and said upper tongue defining said scraper wall.

25. The assembly in accord with claim 25 wherein said tongues close an opening in a container when said spout means is in its most outward position and said front wall closes same when said spout means is in its most inward position.

26. The assembly in accord with claim 14 wherein said pair of side walls and front wall are unitary.

27. The assembly in accord with claim 26 wherein said spout means is adapted to be hingedly attached to a wall of a container and said back wall is slidably supported by said pair of side walls.

28. The assembly in accord with claim 14 further comprising a scraper wall slidable upwardly and downwardly through said open top and into said cavity for leveling the material within said cavity when said spout means is moved from its most inward position to its most outward position.

29. The assembly in accord with claim 28 wherein said back wall and said scraper wall are simultaneously movable.

30. The assembly in accord with claim 28 wherein the upper edge of said back wall is juxtaposed to the lower edge of of said scraper wall when said spout means is in its most outward position.

31. The assembly in accord with claim 30 wherein said back wall and scraper wall and selective means are a unitary slidable member.

32. The assembly in accord with claim 31 further comprising frame means having an opening therethrough, said spout means being movable through said opening, said unitary member being slidably supported by said frame.

33. The assembly as defined in claim 32 wherein said unitary member is adapted to be disposed between a wall of a container and said frame means, said frame means having an elongated slot therethrough extending in the same direction of slidable movement of said back wall, said selective means further including a handle connected to said unitary member and extending through said frame slot for selective engagement thereof whereby said unitary member is moved to any of its selectable positions.

' -gg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent' No. 3,921,862 Dated November 25, 1975 Inventor-(s) Rodger L. Holmstrom It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 22, change "ro" to read -or-- Column 3, line 44, change hindedly" to read ----hingedly Column 5, line 3, change "25" to read -24- Signed and Scaled this Fourth D3) 0f January 1977 [SEAL] o A ttest.

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (ommisrioner ofParents and Trademarks I 

1. A measuring pour spout assembly for a container comprising in combination, a wall member having an opening therethrough, a measuring pour spout disposed in said opening and mounted for movement in and out with respect to said member, said spout comprising a movable wall disposed on one side of said member, said wall having an upper edge, and selective means to move said spout wall for adjusting the height of said upper edge with respect to said spout bottom.
 2. The assembly in accord with claim 1 further comprising a closure wall movable along said wall member and having a lower edge at a depth cooperating with said spout movable wall to close said opening in said wall member when said spout is disposed in its out position.
 3. The assembly in accord with claim 2 wherein said selective means includes means to simultaneously move said closure wall along said wall member whereby the depth of said lower edge of said closure wall is adjusted when said spout wall is adjusted.
 4. The assembly in accord with claim 3 wherein said upper edge of said spout wall is juxtaposed with said lower edge of said closure wall.
 5. The assembly in accord with claim 4 wherein said spout wall, said closure wall and said selective means are unitary.
 6. The assembly in accord with claim 5 wherein said spout wall and said closure wall and said selective means are defined by a sheet member, said sheet member having a generally ''''H'''' shaped cut therethrough spaced inwardly of the outer boundary of said sheet member with said upper edge and said lower edge being defined by the generally horizontal cut.
 7. The assembly in accord with claim 5 wherein said spout wall is defined by a first tongue hindedly attached at one edge to a sheet member, said closure wall being defined by a second tongue hingedly attached at one edge to a sheet member, each said tongues having a free edge opposite to said one edge with said free edges of said tongues being juxtaposed when said spout is in its out position.
 8. The assembly in accord with claim 7 wherein said selective means is defined by said sheet member, said first and second tongues being moved in the same direction by movement of said sheet member whereby said first tongue varies the capacity of said spout and said second tongue levels the material in the spout upon movement of said spout from its in position to its out position.
 9. The assembly in accord with claim 2 wherein said spout wall is defined by a flexible tongue struck from a sheet member.
 10. The assembly in accord with claim 9 wherein said selective means is defined by a first portion of said sheet member, said first portion being connected to said flexible tongue and movable therewith.
 11. The assembly in accord with claim 10 further comprising a handle exposed outwardly of said wall member and connected to said sheet member for adjustable movement thereof.
 12. The assembly in accord with claim 1 wherein said spout wall and said selective means are unitary and defined by a sheet member, said sheet member having a generally ''''H'''' shaped cut therethrough spaced inwardly of the outer boundary of said sheet member with said upper edge being defined by the generally horizontal cut.
 13. The assembly in accord with claim 1 wherein said spout wall is defined by a tongue hingedly attached at one edge to a sheet member, said spout having a pair of spaced and parallel guideways extending generally perpendicular to said hinged one edge for slidably receiving opposite side edges of said tongue, said sheet member defining said selective means whereby upon movement of said sheet member said tongue side edges slide in said guideways.
 14. A measuring pour spout assembly for a container comprising a spout means adapted to be mounted within an opening in a wall of container, said spout means comprising a bottom and a front wall and a back wall defining an open top measuring cavity, said front and back walls being movable to expose said open top of said cavity inwardly and outwardly of the container, said back wall being adapted to be disposed inwardly of a container, and selective means for adjusting the height of said back wall with respect to said spout bottom to vary the capacity of said cavity.
 15. The assembly in accord with claim 14 wherein said spout means includes a pair of rectilinear side walls further defining said open top measuring cavity.
 16. The assembly in accord with claim 15 wherein said side walls include elongated rearward edges, a guideway extending along each said rearward edge, said back wall having elongated edges extending into and slidable within respective said guideways.
 17. The assembly in accord with claim 16 further comprising a scraper wall slidable upwardly and downwardly through said open top and into said cavity for leveling the material within said cavity when said spout means is moved from its most inward position to its most outward position.
 18. The assembly in accord with claim 17 wherein said back wall is relatively flexible with respect to the rigidity of said scraper wall.
 19. The assembly in accord with claim 17 wherein said scraper wall has a width extending substantially between said pair of side walls.
 20. The assembly in accord with claim 19 wherein said back wall has a width of a dimension larger than the width of said scraper wall.
 21. The assembly in accord with claim 20 wherein said back wall and scraper wall and said selective means are a unitary slidable member.
 22. The assembly in accord with claim 21 wherein said back wall and said scraper wall are simultaneously movable in the same direction by said selective means.
 23. The assembly in accord with claim 22 wherein the upper edge of said back wall is juxtaposed to the lower edge of said scraper wall when said spout means is in its most outward position in any position of said selective means.
 24. The assembly in accord with claim 23 wherein said unitary member includes a generally ''''H'''' shaped cut therethrough spaced inwardly of the outer boundary thereof and forming an upper tongue and a lower tongue, said lower tongue defining said back wall and said upper tongue defining said scraper wall.
 25. The assembly in accord with claim 25 wherein said tongues close an opening in a container when said spout means is in its most outward position and said front wall closes same when said spout means is in its most inward position.
 26. The assembly in accord with claim 14 wherein said pair of side walls and front wall are unitary.
 27. The assembly in accord with claim 26 wherein said spout means is adapted to be hingedly attached to a wall of a container and said back wall is slidably supported by said pair of side walls.
 28. The assembly in accord with claim 14 further comprising a scraper wall slidable upwardly and downwardly through said open top and into said cavity for leveling the material within said cavity when said spout means is moved from its most inward position to its most outward position.
 29. The assembly in accord with claim 28 wherein said back wall and said scraper wall are simultaneously movable.
 30. The assembly in accord with claim 28 wherein the upPer edge of said back wall is juxtaposed to the lower edge of of said scraper wall when said spout means is in its most outward position.
 31. The assembly in accord with claim 30 wherein said back wall and scraper wall and selective means are a unitary slidable member.
 32. The assembly in accord with claim 31 further comprising frame means having an opening therethrough, said spout means being movable through said opening, said unitary member being slidably supported by said frame.
 33. The assembly as defined in claim 32 wherein said unitary member is adapted to be disposed between a wall of a container and said frame means, said frame means having an elongated slot therethrough extending in the same direction of slidable movement of said back wall, said selective means further including a handle connected to said unitary member and extending through said frame slot for selective engagement thereof whereby said unitary member is moved to any of its selectable positions. 